Q1.

The diagram shows how the number of species in different vertebrate groups changed
between 400 million years ago and 5 million years ago.

The wider a block is, the more species there are.

(a) Which group had most species 200 million years ago?

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(1)

(b) To which group are birds most closely related?

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(1)

(c) Complete the following sentence.

A study of fossils gives evidence for the theory of .........................................

(1)
(Total 3 marks)

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Q2. The theory of evolution via natural selection was proposed by Darwin.

(a) Explain how evolution occurs via natural selection.

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(4)

(b) Darwin’s theory was only gradually accepted.

Give two reasons why.

1 .....................................................................................................................

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2 .....................................................................................................................

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(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q3. (a) Explain, as fully as you can, how natural selection leads to evolution.

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(3)

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(b) Most penguins live in cold climates. The modern penguin best adapted for cold conditions
is the emperor penguin.

Scientists have found fossils of a ‘giant’ penguin which they have called Icadyptes.

The diagram shows how the size of modern penguins compares with Icadyptes.

The scientists were surprised to discover that Icadyptes lived in warm seas at a time
when the Earth’s climate was much warmer than it is now.

Explain why the scientists were surprised that Icadyptes lived in warm seas.

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(2)
(Total 5 marks)

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Q4. The diagram shows an evolutionary tree for a group of animals called primates.

The names of extinct animals are printed in italics e.g. Nycticeboides.

The drawings show animals that are alive today.

Illustration by Lucrezia Beerli-Bieler

(a) (i) How many million years ago did Karanisia first appear?

............................. millions of years ago.

(1)

(ii) During which geological period did the Apes and Monkeys begin to evolve?

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(1)

(iii) Which group of primates alive today are the closest relatives of the Lorises?

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(1)

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 (b) Darwin was the first scientist to state that humans and other primates had common
ancestors.

Many people were against Darwin’s ideas at that time.

Give two reasons why they were against his ideas.

1 .................................................................................................................................

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2 .................................................................................................................................

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(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q5. (a) What does the theory of evolution state?

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(2)

(b) Daphnia are microscopic water fleas. Midge larvae prey on Daphnia. The midge larvae
release a hormone into the water. Daphnia respond to these hormones by growing larger
protective ‘helmet’-like structures

Scientists were surprised to observe that the offspring of Daphnia females who had been
exposed to these hormones always had larger helmets than offspring whose mothers had
never been exposed to the hormones. The offspring with the large helmets went on to
produce offspring with large helmets.

Explain why the scientists’ observations seem to contradict the theory of natural selection.

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(2)
(Total 4 marks)

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Q6. Giraffes feed on the leaves of trees and other plants in areas of Africa. They are adapted,
through evolution, to survive in their environment.

(a) Use the information in the picture to give one way in which the giraffe is adapted to its
environment.

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(1)

(b) Explain how Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744–1829) accounted for the evolution of the long
neck in giraffes.

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(3)

(c) Another scientist, August Weismann (1834 -1914) wanted to check Lamarck’s
explanation. To do this he cut off the tails of a number of generations of mice and looked at
the offspring.

His results did not support Lamarck’s theory. Explain why.

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(2)

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(d) Explain how Charles Darwin (1809–1882) accounted for the evolution of the long neck in
giraffes.

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(4)
(Total 10 marks)

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M1. (a) amphibians
1

(b) reptiles
1

(c) evolution
accept natural selection
1
[3]

M2. (a) organisms within species may show variation

1

because mutation(s) occur in individuals

1

this results in the individuals with characteristics most suited

to the environment being more likely to survive / to breed
1

as a consequence the genes that have enabled these

individuals to survive are passed on to the next generation
1

(b) any two from

• the theory undermined the idea that God made all the animals
and plants that live on earth

• there was insufficient evidence at the time

• the mechanism of inheritance / variation was not yet known

2
[6]

M3. (a) variation / mutation

1

individuals with characteristics most suited to environment

survive
allow survival of the fittest
1

genes passed to next generation or these individuals reproduce

1

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 (b) any two from:

• similar in size to Emperor penguin or bigger than all

penguins

• large size is adaptation to cold climate

• since less heat loss per unit of body volume or smaller

surface area / volume ratio
2
[5]

M4. (a) (i) 40 – 42

1

(ii) Palaeocene
1

(iii) bush babies

1

(b) any two from:

• religious objections

• insufficient evidence
allow ‘could not prove’
ignore ‘no evidence’

• mechanism of heredity not known

2
[5]

M5. (a) present day organisms have evolved from simpler organisms
ignore answers in terms of natural selection
1

over long periods of time

or
millions / billions of years
1

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 (b) (natural selection operates on successful)
characteristics produced by chance / (random) mutation
1

in this experiment caused by hormones / environment

allow this example indicates
inheritance of acquired
characteristics for 2 marks
allow this is Lamarckism only for 1 mark
1
[4]

M6. (a) long neck or legs

1

(b) change in environment or reaching

for food or stretching led to more use
of neck (and legs) [1]

use led to increased size or

characteristic acquired during lifetime
[1]

this characteristic was passed to

offspring [1]
3

(c) phenotypic changes do not affect genotype or genes [1]

acquired characteristics are not passed to offspring or the offspring were

bom with tails or inheritance has to be genetic [1]
2

(d) one mark awarded for each of the following general points:

variation exists in all populations or

mutation occurred [1]
or if written specific to giraffes:
all giraffes are different or reference to short necked giraffes[1]
4

some individuals will have an advantage in certain areas or will be

better adapted or there is survival of fittest [1]
taller giraffes or those with longer necks will have an advantage in
being able to reach high vegetation or there is survival of fittest [1]

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advantaged individuals breed more or
are more successful [1]
these giraffes will breed more or will be more successful [1]

the genes or units of heredity or DNA

of these individuals are passed on [1] (look for idea of genetic
information being passed on)
the genes or units of heredity or DNA of these giraffes are passed
on [1]
[10]

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